Dispensing valve assembly for pressurized container

ABSTRACT

A dispensing valve assembly for dispensing a product from a pressurized container. The dispensing valve assembly includes a nozzle and a valve stem which are mounted to permit misalignment of the valve stem axis and the nozzle axis. The nozzle and valve stem include a first valve means at the terminal end of the nozzle and a second valve means spaced from the other end. The valve means are seated to prevent product flow through the nozzle when the stem and nozzle are in alignment. Upon the application of a lateral force to the nozzle, the axes are out of alignment and the valve means unseated so that the product is dispensed through the nozzle.

[ Sept. 18, 1973 DISPENSING VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR PRESSURIZED CONTAINER [75] inventors: Thomas R. Stanley, Brookfield;

Carmen T. Mascia, Westchester, both of I11.

[73] Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc.,

New York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Nov. 22, 1968 [21] Appl. No.: 778,077

2,954,903 10/1960 Collins.....

3,285,477 11/1966 Marora et a1. 222/517 X Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr. Attorney-Fred P. Kostka, Joseph E. Kerwin and William A. Dittmann [57] ABSTRACT A dispensing valve assembly for dispensing a product from a pressurized container. The dispensing valve as sembly includes a nozzle and a valve stem which are mounted to permit misalignment of the valve stem axis and the nozzle axis. The nozzle and valve stem include a first valve means at the terminal end of the nozzle and a second valve means spaced from the other end. The valve means are seated to prevent product flow through the nozzle when the stern and nozzle are in alignment. Upon the application of a lateral force to the nozzle, the axes are out of alignment and the valve means unseated so that the product is dispensed through the nozzle.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3.759.427

SHEEI 1 or 3 INVENTORS THOMAS R. STANLEY c RME/v r As IA ATT'Y.

PATENTED 8 sum 3 0F 3 INVENTORS THOMAS R. STANLEY CARMEN TI MASCIA ATT'Y 1 DISPENSING VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR PRESSURIZED CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dispensing valve assembly and more particularly to a dispensing valve assembly for dispensing a product from a pressurized container.

The foregoing type of pressurized container is generally not refilled after the product has been exhausted therefrom so that the empty container, including the dispensing valve assembly, are discarded. For this reason, it is desirable that the dispensing valve assembly be of an economical construction. The desired economy may be achieved by simplicity of design, selection of material and the like. While the prior dispensing valve assemblies have achieved the desired economic crite ria, these valves have been characterized by a sealing structure which results in allowing a portion of the product remaining in the valve nozzle to be exposed to the atmosphere when the valve is closed after 'a portion of the pressurized product has been dispensed.

The exposure of the product to the atmosphere is objectionable when the product being dispensed is a comestible, such as cheese, ketchup or the like, which tend to deteriorate when exposed to atmosphere. Thus, should the valve assembly again be opened for further dispensing after the residual product is deteriorated, the latter is dispensed along with the portion of the product from the inside of the container. This condition is obviously undesirable because of the potential health hazard involved.

Moreover, should the pressurized product be an adhesive, a bonding agent or any material which is subject to hardening when exposed to atmosphere, the residual products tend to harden and clog the valve assembly. When this hardening occurs, the valve assembly passage must be cleared of the residual product before the pressurized bonding agent may again be dispensed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the invention to provide a dispensing valve assembly for a pressurized product in which the dispensing valve assembly is provided with means for closing the product dispensing passages in the valve assembly from the atmosphere when the valve assembly is not used to dispense the product.

It is a further object, taken in conjunction with the immediately foregoing object, to provide a dispensing valve assembly which is of economical construction and of simple design.

The foregoing objects are accomplished by a dispensing valve assembly comprising generally a nozzle made from a resilient material. Disposed in the nozzle bore is a rigid valve stem which is formed with complementary first and second valve means. The first valve means is disposed adjacent the terminal end of the nozzle and the second valve means is disposed adjacent the other end of the nozzle. The valve and stem are mounted so as to be restrained against vertical displacement while permitting axial misalignment of the longitudinal axes thereof so that the valve seat means are disengaged to permit the passage of the product through the nozzle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, elevational view of a container having the valve dispensing assembly of the prescut invention incorporated therein and with some of the parts broken away to show underlying details.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly of FIG. I and showing the valve assembly attached to the container cup.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the valve assembly in its open position for dispensing the product therethrough.

FIG. 4, is a bottom plan view of the valve assembly shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the container with some of the parts broken away and partially in cross-section showing a second embodiment of dispensing valve assembly incorporating the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve assembly of FIG. 5 and showing the manner in which it is attached to the cup of the container.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6, showing the valve assembly in the open position thereof. a FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the valve assembly shown in FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is shown a container 10 having a container body 11 to the upper end of which there is seen a domed end closure 12. The domed end closure 12 isformed with an axial opening 13 defined by an outwardly curled rim 14. Fixed to the rim 14 as by crimping is a closure cup 16. The closure cup 16 is formed with an opening 117 in which the valve assembly 18 of the present invention is inserted.

The container body 11 may be substantially cylindrical and contains the pressurized propellant and the product to be dispensed. The product may be either a comestible or any product which is capable of being rendered sufficiently fluid so as to be dispensable through the dispensing valve assembly 18 under the force exerted by the propellant.

The dispensing valve assembly 18 comprises, generally, a nozzle 19 and a valve stem 20.'The nozzle '19 is made from a resilient material, such as rubber, plastic, or the like, and is formed with an axial bore 21. The bore 21 at the lower end thereof is formed with a counter-bore providing a vertical valve seat surface 23 and a horizontal valve seat surface 24. The exterior of the valve nozzle 19 is enlarged adjacent its lower end and is provided with a groove which receives the edge portion of the cup 17 so as to securely fasten the nozzle 19 to the container 10.

Disposed below the valve seat surfaces 23 and 24 is a valve stem supporting structure 26 which, as shown, comprises an enlarged opening or counter-bore 22. The counter-bore or cavity 22'is open ended and is defined at its lower end by an upstanding rib 27 defining a radial or a circular groove 28 which received the base 29 of the valve stem20.

The valve stem base 29 is substantially cylindrical and is formed with a downwardly depending rib 31 which is rockably supported within the groove 28 so as to permit misalignment of the valve stem 20 axis relative to the axis of the nozzle bore 21. It is to be noted that the stem 20 is restrained against vertical move-' ment within the nozzle bore 21. I

Angularly spaced about the base 29 are a plurality of ports 32 which provide communications between the interior of the container and the bore 21 as more fully to be described hereinafter. Spaced inwardly from the ports 32 and extending upwardly from the upper end of the base 29 is a circular boss 33 including an upstanding wall or valve surface 34 and an annular horizontal valve surface 35. The valve surfaces 34 and 35 seat on the valve seats 23 and 24 respectively formed in the nozzle bore 21. Projecting upwardly from the boss 33 and extending axially through the bore 21 is the valve stem 20 including an enlarged section 37 spaced from the boss 33 which serves to align the valve stem 36 within the bore 32. As shown, the valve stem 20 is of substantially lesser diameter than the bore to provide an annular passage 38 between the outer circumference of the stem 36 and the wall of the bore 21.

At the upper end or terminal of the valve stem 20, there is formed an enlarged circular section 39 which may be of substantially the same diameter as the bore 21. Extending upwardly from the enlarged section 29 is a frusto conical section 41 of which the circumfer! ence provides a valve surface 42 which seats against a complementary tapered or conical valve seat 43 formed at the terminal end of the bore 21.

The valve stem 21 is preferably made from a substantially rigid material such as plastic or the like so as to permit the nozzle to be positioned out of alignment therewith, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3.

The actuate the valve assembly 18, a lateral force is applied intermediate the end of the nozzle 19 extending outwardly of the cup 17. Such a lateral force, because of the resilient nature of the material from which the nozzle is made, causes the latter to be deflected as shown in FIG. 3. In this position, the mounting end or enlarged end of the nozzle 19 disposed below or within the container 11 is slightly canted by the force exerted on the rubber and the rigid valve stem 20. It is to be noted that when the rubber nozzle is deflected, a force is also exerted on the valve stem 20 so that the latter is slightly rocked in the mounting groove 29 of the nozhand side so that the product is free to flow upwardly through the bore in the annular passage 38 toward enlarged end portion 39. In this connection, it is to be noted that the nozzle 19 is also deflected away from the stem 20 along the right side so that valve surface 42 is displaced from the valve seat 43 andto provide a passage through which the product is discharged.

Upon release of the lateral force, the resilient nature of the nozzle 19 is such that the rigid valve stem 20 is returned into axial alignment with the nozzle 19 so that the valve seat 43 again seats upon the valve seat 42 at the terminal end of the nozzle 19 and the valve seat means 35 seats against the valve seat surfaces 23 and 24- at the lower end. In this. manner, further passage of the container contents through the bore 21 is prevented. At the same time, it is to be noted that the product which may be in the nozzle passage 38 is cut off from exposure to the atmosphere by the valve surface 42 seated on the valve seat 43 at the terminal end of the nozzle 19.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 8, there is shown a second embodiment of the present invention in which the like parts are indicated by like reference characters.

The valve assembly 51 comprises generally a nozzle 52 and a valve stem assembly 53. As shown, the valve assembly is of generally tubular construction having an axially extending bore 54. The nozzle is preferably made from rubber or the like. At its lower end, the valve nozzle 53 is formed with an enlarged portion 55 in which there is formed a groove which receives a flange of the base 57 of the valve stem assembly 53.

The valve stem assembly 53 is preferably made from a rigid material, such as molded polyethylene or the like. Incorporated in the valve assembly 52 is a base 57 which is securely fastened to a downwardly depending flange of the end closure dome 12. In this manner, the cup 17 as shown in FIG. 1 is eliminated, and the base 57 of the stern assembly 53 is substituted therefor.

The base 57 includes an annular disc portion 58 from which there depends a dish-like portion 59 having a plurality of radially and angularly spaced ports 61 through which the product is adapted to flow intothe nozzle 54 as more fully to-be explained hereinafter.

Extending above and formed integral with the dishlike portion 58 is an annular groove orsocket section 62 in which the lower end 63 of the valve nozzle 52 is supported. As shown, the socket 62 is formed withsubstantially outwardly inclined walls 64-64 which merge at a radius 66, while the lower end 63 of the valve nozv zle 52 is substantially vertical at its outer periphery so as to permit relative rocking of the nozzle 52 relative to the case 57.

Adjacent the bottom end or lower end of the nozzle bore 54, there is provided a horizontal valve seat 67 and a vertical valve seat 68. Seated against the valve seats 67 and 68 are valve surfaces 69 and 71 respectively formed on the valve stem assembly 55.

Spaced upwardly from the valve seat surfaces 69 and 71 is an enlarged guiding section 72, which serves to hold the valve stem assembly aligned within the bore 54. At the upper or terminal end of the valve stem 53, there is formed an enlarged cylindrical section 73 at the upper end of which there is formed a valve surface 74 which seats on a tapering valve seat 76 provided on the terminal end of the nozzle 52. I

The valve assembly 51 operates similarly to the valve assembly 18 described in connection with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4.

Upon applying a'lateral force to the nozzle as, for example, to the left as shown in FIG. 7, the flexible nozzle becomes distorted so that the axis of the bore becomes misaligned with respect to the axes of the valve stem 70. it is to be noted that at the lateral force is applied thereto as shown in FIG. 7, a force is also exerted on the valve stem so that the axis is also displaced slightly from its normal position. As the force is simultaneously applied to the nozzle 52 and the valve stem assembly 57, the lower end of the valve stem in engagement within the socket 64 rocks within the socket 64 so that the valve seat 67 and 68 become disengaged with the valve seat surfaces 69 and 71 respectively, at the lower left hand comer thereof. Also, the bore 54 is so distorted in the vicinity of the enlarged section 72 to provide a free passage for the pressurized product thereabout. Thus, the product is free to flow through the ports 61, past the unseated portion of the valve surfaces 69 and 71, and into the bore 54. The nozzle, at the terminal end, is deflected so that there is a passage between the enlarged section 73 and the inner surface of the former. At the same time, the valve seat 74 at the terminal end of the nozzle, is spaced away from the valve surface 76 formed on the rigid valve stem. in this manner, the product within the passage 54 is free to be discharged outwardly through the nozzle. When the lateral force is released, the valve stem 53 and nozzle 52 return to the position shown in FIG. 6 under the influence of the resilient nozzle 52. In this position, the valve seat surface 76 seats on the terminal valve seat 76 and closes the bore 54 so that the product remaining therein is cut off from the atmosphere.

What is claimed is:

l. A dispensing valve assembly for dispensing the contents from a pressurized container, said dispensing valve comprising a tubular nozzle made from a resilientmaterial, said nozzle having an axial bore including a first valve seat means formed adjacent one end adapted to be attached to the container and a second valve seat means at the opposite free end defining a discharge end, a rigid valve stem coaxially disposed in said bore and having a first valve surface seatable on said first valve seat means and a second valve surface seatable on said second valve seat means, said valve stem intermediate said first and second valve surfaces being of lesser diameter than the diameter of the bore along the major portion of the length thereof to define a product dispensing passage, means mounting said valve stem and said nozzle on said container below said second valve seat means, said mounting means restraining said nozzle and said valve stem against relative longitudinal movement and allowing relative tilting movement between a position wherein said surfaces are seated on said respective valve seats and a position wherein said first and second valve seats are unseated so that the container contents may be dispensed through said product dispensing passage and the terminal end of said nozzle.

2. The invention as defined in claim '1 wherein said mounting means includes a base formed integral with said valve stem, said base having a plurality of angularly and radially spaced ports located outboard from said first valve surface means and being sealed by a surface on said nozzle when said longitudinal axes are aligned and providing communication between the interior of the container and said nozzle bore when said lateral force is applied to said nozzle.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said valve stem base and said nozzle are mounted for rocking movement relative to each other.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve stem contiguous to said second valve surface means is formed with a length having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said bore.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said second valve seat comprises a conical surface and said second valve surface is formed complementary to said conical surface.

6. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said nozzle is mounted on said container and includes means supporting said base against vertical axial movement.

7. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said valve stem base is mounted on said container and ineludes means for supporting said nozzle against vertical axial movement. 

1. A dispensing valve assembly for dispensing the contents from a pressurized container, said dispensing valve comprising a tubular nozzle made from a resilient material, said nozzle having an axial bore including a first valve seat means formed adjacent one end adapted to be attached to the container and a second valve seat means at the opposite free end defining a discharge end, a rigid valve stem coaxially disposed in said bore and having a fiRst valve surface seatable on said first valve seat means and a second valve surface seatable on said second valve seat means, said valve stem intermediate said first and second valve surfaces being of lesser diameter than the diameter of the bore along the major portion of the length thereof to define a product dispensing passage, means mounting said valve stem and said nozzle on said container below said second valve seat means, said mounting means restraining said nozzle and said valve stem against relative longitudinal movement and allowing relative tilting movement between a position wherein said surfaces are seated on said respective valve seats and a position wherein said first and second valve seats are unseated so that the container contents may be dispensed through said product dispensing passage and the terminal end of said nozzle.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a base formed integral with said valve stem, said base having a plurality of angularly and radially spaced ports located outboard from said first valve surface means and being sealed by a surface on said nozzle when said longitudinal axes are aligned and providing communication between the interior of the container and said nozzle bore when said lateral force is applied to said nozzle.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said valve stem base and said nozzle are mounted for rocking movement relative to each other.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve stem contiguous to said second valve surface means is formed with a length having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said bore.
 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said second valve seat comprises a conical surface and said second valve surface is formed complementary to said conical surface.
 6. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said nozzle is mounted on said container and includes means supporting said base against vertical axial movement.
 7. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said valve stem base is mounted on said container and includes means for supporting said nozzle against vertical axial movement. 